SIOUX LOOKOUT – The fourth time wasn’t the charm for the Thunder Bay North Stars.
Three times on Saturday night the No. 3 seed battled back from a deficit to get back on even ground with the host Sioux Lookout Bombers.
One more time wasn’t meant to be.
Alex Lucas scored the go-ahead goal at the 11:16 mark of the third period and it stood up as the winning tally as the Bombers took a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Superior International Junior Hockey League semifinal, scoring three unanswered in the final stanza to pull out a 7-4 victory.
Owen Cotter and Jonah Smith added insurance goals in the final four minutes of regulation for Sioux Lookout.
Blake Burke, Trevor Sanderson and Ty Lone staked the Bombers to a 3-1 lead midway through the first, Sanderson and Lone scoring 29 seconds apart.
But Alex Remenda and Edison Weeks replied in rapid fashion, potting goals 1:57 apart before the middle frame ended and the two teams hit the third tied 3-3.
Cobe Delaney gave Sioux Lookout its third lead of the night just 38 seconds into the third, but Thunder Bay’s Beau Helmeczi continued his strong postseason run, posting his fifth goal in six playoff appearances just 81 seconds later, beating Jack Osmond in the Bombers net.
Osmond made 30 saves on the night.
Ben Laurette got the call between the pipes for the North Stars and made 33 saves in a losing cause.
The Stars will look to get back in the win column on Monday night in Game 3 at Fort William Gardens. Game 4 goes Tuesday night.
The Kam River Fighting Walleye and Red Lake Miners open their semifinal series on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the Norwest Arena.
